Mumbai, September 2026: Citizens in Mumbai were provided information about various government schemes through public Ganeshotsav mandals as part of the Lok Samvad initiative being conducted by the Department of Information and Public Relations. Citizens were also guided on availing benefits under various schemes, including the interest reimbursement schemes of the Annasaheb Patil Economic Backward Development Corporation.
On Thursday, information about various government schemes was provided to citizens through Ganeshotsav mandals in the B.T. Marg area near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus as part of the Lok Samvad initiative.
The programme was attended by Ajit Dhamnaskar, president of the G.T. Hospital Mumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal; treasurer Sai Surve; secretary Uday More; Yash Shelar and Shridhar Mohite of the Police Commissioner’s Office Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal; as well as devotees and citizens associated with Mangal Dascha Raja and the Mangal Das Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal in the Crawford Market area.
Somnath Aher provided detailed guidance on the schemes of the Annasaheb Patil Economic Backward Development Corporation. Senior Assistant Director Vandana Thorat explained the objective of the Lok Samvad initiative and provided information about various schemes of the Food and Civil Supplies Department. Senior Assistant Director Manisha Savale briefed citizens about the Ayushman Card.
Aher said the Annasaheb Patil Economic Backward Development Corporation implements the Individual Loan Interest Reimbursement Scheme (IR-1) and the Group Loan Interest Reimbursement Scheme (IR-2) to promote self-employment.
Under these schemes, once a loan for a business or industrial activity is sanctioned and disbursed by the concerned bank, eligible beneficiaries who repay their loan instalments on time are provided reimbursement of eligible interest by the corporation. The schemes are implemented through an online and transparent process, citizens were informed.
Under the Individual Loan Interest Reimbursement Scheme, the loan limit has been increased. Eligible beneficiaries are entitled to reimbursement of eligible interest at a maximum annual rate of 12 per cent, for the prescribed period, as per the applicable rules.
Under the Group Loan Interest Reimbursement Scheme, the loan limit is determined according to the number of members in the group. Eligible groups that repay their loan instalments on time are entitled to interest reimbursement as per the prescribed rules.
To avail the benefits of the schemes, applicants must register online on the corporation’s official website and apply for an eligibility certificate along with the required documents. After receiving the eligibility certificate, applicants can approach the concerned bank for a loan by submitting the project report and necessary documents.
The bank takes the decision on sanctioning the loan according to its own rules and procedures. Once the loan is sanctioned and disbursed, beneficiaries can submit an online claim for interest reimbursement based on the loan sanction and disbursement details, instalment schedule and timely repayment of instalments.
Citizens’ queries regarding the schemes were also addressed during the programme, and they were encouraged to make maximum use of the various government schemes available to them.
